Who are we?

Erica

My name is Erica, and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax has been my family’s church for generations. Growing up, I always knew that Mt. Calvary had a strong Black community and a rich history, which connects deeply with what we have been learning about Black churches and religion in African American Religion (RELG 250). On my mother’s side, my family has maintained a strong connection with this church and its deep African American roots. I am honored to work on this project and to continue learning more about the legacy and significance of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

Eyaya

My name is Eyaya Fletcher, and I was born in Ethiopia, a place deeply rooted in religious tradition. Growing up, the church was always a central part of my life, shaping who I am today. When I came to college, I knew I wanted to keep that connection strong. I visited many churches, but Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site) was the one that truly spoke to me. From the moment I walked in, I felt the spirit of the people and the powerful history that lives within its walls.

This church has become a very special place for me. Being part of Shiloh allows me to continue growing in my faith while also feeling connected to a community that honors and celebrates its deep roots. I’m so grateful to share this project because it gives me the chance to tell others how important this place is not just to me, but to our shared history. As Dr. Yolanda Pierce said, “Black religious history must be told and celebrated because it holds the story of resilience, hope, and sacred resistance.”1

Ellis

My name is Ellis. I have lived in Northern Virginia my whole life and this region shaped my love of history and helping people find their ancestors with document research. Church records are invaluable to the preservation of individual, family and community histories prior to the 20th century, especially in preserving marginalized and enslaved communities and individuals. I have studied African American Religions in Religion 250 with Dr. Mary Beth Mathews this semester and it has been a pleasure to learn about and help digitally document the celebrations of 100+ year anniversaries of these churches, their resilient faith and the activism foundational to the civil rights movement to this current day. Learning about the leaders and communities who continue these generational legacies has been a privilege.

REFERENCES

Cover header image: Map of northern Virginia

Goode, Richard Urquhart, and U.S Geological Survey. Map of northern Virginia. 1894. Map. https://www.loc.gov/item/lva0000043/.

  1. Yolanda Pierce, In My Grandmother’s House: Black Women, Faith, and the Stories We Inherit (Minneapolis: Broadleaf Books, 2021). ↩︎